The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 51 (Evangeline)

A week before the second contest, my parents have a party for my birthday. I'm so excited. I know that Jaxon is my mate, but now, I'll finally, finally be able to tell my father, without a doubt that he is truly my mate.

This week, my father had Ezekiel and once again, we thought it would be an easy week, but Ezekiel raised the bar again. So, while I've been excited about my birthday, I knew that this week would be a tough one. Add to that, Jaxon decided that this week, of all weeks, he wanted to make a big entrance for my birthday.

I know that Jaxon hasn't had a chance to get me something for my birthday. I've heard him on the phone, secretly talking to people. If I had to guess, I'd say he and Jordan are coming up with some sort of birthday present for me, but so far, I have no clue what he's getting me.

Last night, for the first time in nearly three months, I slept alone. Jaxon left to go get my birthday present, telling me that he'd be back for the party tonight. I had texted him in the middle of the night, not terribly surprised that he wasn't asleep.

Me: Are you awake?

Jax: I am, why are you awake?

Me: Can't sleep. I miss my mate.

Jax: Your mate is stupid. He didn't think this through.

Me: My mate is not stupid. He's amazing and I won't have you disparaging him.

Jax: Really? Well, the man was dumb enough to leave you alone the night before your birthday.

Me: I'm sure he has a good reason.

Jax: I bet tomorrow night at this time, you'll be wearing his mark.

Me: And he'll be wearing mine.

Jax: Think of that, my beautiful

Evangeline and get some sleep, because tomorrow night, I plan to keep you up all night long.

Me: How is that supposed to help me sleep, exactly?

Jax: It should give you sweet dreams. I love you, Eve.

Me: I love you, Jax.

Jax: I'll see you in a couple of hours my love.

Me: Not soon enough

Jax

I finally fall asleep early in the morning and now, I'm trying to get through Ezekiel's last training session.

He comes over to me. "Evangeline, you' re better than this, what's going on?"

"I apologize, Ezekiel. It's my birthday and my mate isn't here. He'll be here later, but I didn't sleep well, and it's showing."

"A word of advice, Alpha. Push through. If you expect to become an Alpha to a pack, you'll need to be able to fight even when you're exhausted. Dig deep and push through this morning." "Yes, Ezekiel."

The rest of the morning, I focus, fighting and actually taking down my opponents. I see Ezekiel nodding at me several times and I feel good that I am finally able to focus. He's right, if I'm going to be an Alpha, I have to be strong no matter what.

Afterward, I head to my room, getting ready for the party. Maggie comes to sit with me, helping me to get ready. Caleb is here, too. Dad has allowed them to go back and forth to train and even he has to see that Maggie is stronger than she was before. Caleb's influence has been good for Maggie, just as Jaxon's has been good for me. As I finish getting ready, my mother knocks on my door. She hugs Maggie and shuts the door as she leaves.

She turns, holding her h*ands out to me. "My beautiful girl, my first born. I can't believe you're an adult today."

It's a very rare thing to see my mother cry. She is the rock of this family. She always has been.

"Mom..." I say, walking to her and hugging her.

She sniffles as she hugs me before stepping back. "Have you and Jaxon decided where you're going to live?" she asks, and I can tell that she is hoping that we've decided to live here. We've talked about it a lot and gone back and forth, until finally we decided to split our time between our packs. It has worked during the training for this next contest and until we have a pack of our own, it seemed like the best choice, especially since my father hasn't been trying to keep us apart.

"We want to live part time here and part time in Alpha Jordan's pack until one or both of us wins our own pack." I tell her.

"I'm betting on both of you winning. You're both strong, powerful Alphas and deserve your own pack."

"Thanks Mom."

"Well, I'd better be getting downstairs to welcome our guests...and your mate."

That makes me smile.

"I'll be down in a moment," I say, walking her to the door. When she's gone, I turn back to my bedroom, this room that has been mine for as long as I can remember will tonight become the room where my mate makes me his own, where I make him mine.

I look around once more, making sure everything is in order before I head downstairs. When I get to the top of the stairs, the scent of sandalwood fills my nose, so much stronger than it ever was before and I know that he is here.

I look down on the group of people, waiting for me to join the party and there he is, looking up at me, a bouquet of flowers in his h*and, looking more s*exy than any man has a right to look.

"Mate," I say, as the rest of the room disappears.

"Mate," he confirms as he walks to the bottom of the stairs. I make my way to him, my eyes never leaving his.

When I get to the bottom, he takes my h*and, k*issing it.

"Happy birthday, my love."

For the rest of the night, Jaxon is at my side. We dance together, say hello to all of my guests together but in the end, I don't remember anything about my birthday until we get back to my room. When we walk in, he steps away from me, looking around my room. "So, this is the boudoir that I've been denied entry for months. I like it."

He turns to me smiling. "I have something for you."

"And, I have something for you, too," I say seductively.

"Hold that thought," he says as he pulls a box out of his pocket.

"I know your mother descended from royalty, but I wasn't sure which European country she came from, so I made a guess. The sentiment is the same, no matter the language," he says, h*anding me a box wrapped in pretty paper.

I open it and inside is a necklace with a pendant of aquamarine, the color of my eyes. Inscribed in the stone are the words "Je t'aime". I love you.

I take it out of the box, handing it to him. "Will you put it on me? I want to wear this when you leave your mark on my neck."

I turn lifting my hair while he locks the necklace. I look down as it falls into place. My mate moves my hair and begins k*issing my neck as he unzips my dress.

"Evangeline, I've been waiting a very long time for this night," he says, his f*ingers caressing my skin, making me shiver.

I turn, letting the dress drop to the floor. "As have I, my mate. It's time I finally leave my mark on you so every woman in the world knows that the Super Hotty is mine."

His smile is huge as he slides his h*and into my hair and pulls me to him.

"Damn, Evangeline, I will never get tired of that sassy m*outh of yours."

"Sass isn't the only thing my mouth is good at, Alpha," I say, and I have the satisfaction of watching his eyes go nearly black.

He pulls me to him, our breath sharing space. "I hope that m*outh is good at leaving a mark on my neck."

My claws extend and I slice his shirt and jacket off of him. "Let's find out."

He continues to hold onto my hair, pulling me back and looking down at my body. "You're so f*uc*king s*exy, you make me want to take you now, but not for your first time. Tonight is all about taking my time, finally getting my fill of you."

He looks back up into my eyes. "Take that b*ra off."

Never losing eye contact, I reach back and unhook my bra, letting it drop to the floor, leaving me in only my panties and my heels.

I have the satisfaction of watching him look down, his Adam's apple bobbing with his desire.